Preview: Blues at Stars

January 26, 2013|Reuters

Vladimir Tarasenko has made quite an impression in his first four NHL games with four goals and two assists for the St. Louis Blues. The 21-year-old Russian looks to stay hot when the Blues visit the Dallas Stars on Saturday night. Tarasenko, who was the 16th overall selection in the 2010 draft, netted a goal in St. Louis' 3-0 victory over Nashville on Thursday. The Blues have scored 14 goals in four games - with seven coming on 13 attempts on the power play. Three of Tarasenkoâs goals have been at even strength.

The Stars announced they had signed 23-year-old forward Jamie Benn to a five-year contract on Thursday during their 3-2 overtime loss to Chicago. Benn is not expected to play until Dallas travels to Columbus on Monday. Veterans Jaromir Jagr and Ray Whitney have started fast with two goals and two assists apiece for the Stars.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS-MW (St. Louis), FS-SW (Dallas).

ABOUT THE BLUES (3-1-0): Defenseman Wade Redden made his debut for the Blues on Thursday, playing 17:23 to help limit Nashville to 13 shots. It was Reddenâs first NHL game since April 2010 after he was relegated to the minor leagues by the New York Rangers over the last two-plus seasons. Redden, signed as a free agent, joins a backline that includes two talented 23-year-olds in Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Pietrangelo. T.J. Oshie is also off to a strong start up front for the Blues with three goals and two assists. Jaroslav Halak, who had the shutout on Thursday, has started three of the four games in goal.

ABOUT THE STARS (2-1-1): Benn, who produced 26 goals and 63 points last season, will jump right into the top six forwards after clearing up immigration issues. The Stars have produced eight goals without in him in four games â half of them by 40-year-olds Jagr and Whitney. Jagr has 13 shots on goal â tops on the team - and Whitney is plus-3. Last seasonâs leading scorer, Loui Eriksson, has scored a pair of goals as well while newcomers Derek Roy and Cody Eakin have combined for five assists. Kari Lehtonen, who has a .942 save percentage, is likely to start his fourth game.

OVERTIME

1. St. Louis C David Backes has 16 hits, tied for fourth in the league through Thursdayâs games.